•This is another win for sexual, rape survivors, says Taiwo Ojo
Funke Olaode
Barely 24 hours after the bail granted former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, was varied to allow him trav After three years of standing trial, the axe of law finally fell on the embattled Bishop Oluwafeyiropo Daniels of ‘I Reign Christian Ministry’, as an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court yesterday sentenced him to life imprisonment for raping his 23-year-old assistant.
Daniels, who wore dark green ‘Atiku’ dress looked remorseful as Justice Rahman Oshodi read out the judgement of three years imprisonment for sexually assaulting another member of his church, aged 19 years.
The prosecution had called five witnesses while the defence also called five witnesses during trial through whom various documents were tendered in evidence.
The state prosecution team, led by Mr. Babajide Boye, submitted that the convict raped his assistant pastor in his home in Ikota Villa Estate, sometimes in June 2020.
He also said that the convict sexually assaulted one of his church members by forcefully sucking and touching her breast without her consent, sometimes in April 2021 at the church office in Ikeja.
The offences contravened Section 260 (2) and 263 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
During cross-examination by state counsel, Mr. Babajide Boye, the defendant reiterated that the alleged survivors conspired against him.
He also denied giving N100,000 to one of the alleged survivors for medical treatment.
Delivering his judgement, Oshodi held that prosecution had established the ingredients of rape and sexual assault (count one and three) against the convict, beyond reasonable doubt.
He held that the cleric should spend the rest of his life at the Kirikiri custodial facility in Lagos.
According to him, the evidence of the first prosecution witness was corroborated with that of the third witness.
He, however, discharged and acquitted him of rape (count two) of another survivor (name withheld) on the ground that there was an element of consent.
The judge also discharged and acquitted him of attempted rape (count four) on another member of his church, aged 19-year-old girl, (name withheld).
According to him, the convict who did not have regard for truth committed the offences by using his dominant character and position as a clergy.
‘I have convicted you (Oluwafeyiropo Daniels) of sexually violating two women who were members of your church.
“The first one, you raped ferociously and caused her so much pain.
“The second, you sexually assaulted using your dominant character and position as a clergy.
“These offences are grievous as rape attracts life imprisonment while sexual assault is punishable with three years imprisonment,” Oshodi stated.
The judge said though the defence counsel, Mr. Adebayo Adegbite urged the court to use its discretion in its sentencing, the Lagos State law, however, have mandatory sentence for rape.
“Due to the seriousness and the ferocity of the attack on his victims, accordingly I sentence you as follow:
“On count one, I sentence you to life imprisonment.
“On count three, I sentence you to three years imprisonment and you shall also serve your term in the maximum security custodial centre where you are currently being held,” he said.
Oshodi said that the sentencing should run concurrently and the name of the convict be registered in the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register.
The defence counsel, in his allocutus, (plea for mercy) had prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.
Adegbite told the court that the convict was a first time offender with no previous charges.
He said the convict was a bread winner of his family and urged the judge to use his direction in sentencing.
The state prosecution team, led by Mr. Boye, however, urged the court to convict the bishop as charged.
Reacting to the judgement, the counsel for the nominal complainants, Toyin Ndidi Taiwo-Ojo, legal practitioner and Women a Children Rights Advocate, said this is another win for sexual and rape survivors.
“It is a judgement that will restore faith primarily in the church and not only the church and the society. We have seen men of God committing this crime over and over again. And we have seen the very institution which are supposed to expose these crimes covering it up.
“With this judgement even though it may tarry but justice will eventually prevail. With this judgement, morality and the truth which form the basis of the society is protected by the judiciary. I have also seen the promiscuous and pervasive attitude of some clerics to take advantage and influence of their position over the vulnerable, this judgement has actually mitigated and exposed this influence pervasive. It has also saved the vulnerable, the survivors who have been brutalised, who have been victimised and traumatised by men of the church that they have a voice and when they talk, there are ‘listening ears.”
Corroborating Taiwo-Ojo, Executive Director, Tonia Bruise But Not Broken Foundation, Anthonia Ojenagbon, said it is a landmark judgement for all survivors of sexual violence and rape in Nigeria especially to every Christian who have been taken advantage of.
“This is to send a stern warning to those who believe they can manipulate vulnerable girls and women in the name of God, that survivor will get justice and that they will find themselves in a place where they wont be able to escape one day.
Ojenagbon expressed her appreciation to The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ekiti State where this case was first reported in 2020, the survivors who came out in 2019 when Feyi Daniel arrested them with the Law Enforcement Agency, Director of Public Prosecution who presented and gave legal representation to the survivors, and Lagos State Government for say No and Zero Tolerance to any form Gender Based Violence.
